Delta Militant Gets New Appeal Date

This Day
23 December 2010

Delta Militant Gets New Appeal Date

The suspected mastermind in the October 1 twin bomb blasts in Abuja, Mr. Henry Okah, has finally secured a date for his appeal. Okah who is facing trial in Johannesburg, South Africa over his alleged role in the bombings was billed to be brought for appearance on February 11, 2011 having been denied bail by the magistrate's court.

But the Court of Appeal Tuesday fixed January 4, 2011 for him to re-present his bail application, having recruited the services of one of that country's most respected Senior Advocates, Dumisa Ntsebeza, as lead counsel.

...

In an exclusive interview from his prison room, Okah told THISDAY he was not surprised at the court verdict but disappointed.

Describing the judgment as the "most unintelligent and dumb judgment I have ever seen", Okah said he was disappointed because he was told that the magistrate was an intelligent and thorough person, adding that "unfortunately. I did not see any of those attributes throughout the entire proceedings".

Okah reiterated his earlier allegation that he was only being persecuted for his refusal to support the 2011 presidential ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

"As an Ijaw man, they believe I should support an Ijaw man automatically but I said no. This is a struggle and the struggle is not about me, its about millions of people," he said.